Coconut Split Pea Soup

I've been so busy spring cleaning and sorting for the move to New Mexico I haven't had much time at all to play in the kitchen. I made a rainy weather comfort food favorite this week, though. A vegan, dairy-free split pea soup. And best of all it's a super easy soup to make. I kicked it up with coconut milk and spicy jalapeños. It was lip-smacking tasty.

Trust me.

You won't miss the ham hock.

Karina's Kicked Up Coconut Split Pea Soup Recipe

Recipe posted March 2006.

I used my Krups rice cooker to make this pea soup. It simmered it perfectly, to just the right consistency without scorching- always a plus! You could also use a Crock Pot. I love appliances that do all the work. So I can go play, er, I mean clean the basement.

Place the split peas in a rice cooker and cover with boiling water. Turn the cooker on low. If you are using a heavy soup pot on the stove, cover the pot, turn the burner on at the lowest setting. Hot soak the peas like this for one hour. Drain.Place the soaked peas back into the rice cooker or heavy bottomed soup pot and add the chopped garlic, broth, curry, Old Bay Seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced and the peas are so tender they break apart with a wooden spoon- about an hour. If you'd rather cook this soup on the stove top, place the soaked peas, garlic, broth, curry, Old Bay Seasoning and red pepper flakes in a soup pot and bring to a gentle simmer; cook until the liquid is reduced a bit and the peas are soft- about an hour.

Stir in the coconut milk and gently heat through. If you like your pea soup thick, keep simmering, and reduce the liquid to your liking. If it needs more liquid, thin with water. Serve in shallow warmed bowls, with a spoonful of pickled jalapeños in the center of the soup. Fab with my Easy Gluten-Free Baguettes, Gluten-Free English Muffins or Pecan Crackers.